Tag: Chintz

Caroline Gidiere's Alabama Home Veranda facade

Caroline Gidiere‘s Alabama home must have appeared in everyone’s Instagram feed by now. The interior of the home was the first ere design job of Caroline and it proves that taste when combined with good proportions and good planning always work. Originally Gidiere was looking to renovate an old house but the circumstances of the previous old home weren’t salvable so she collaborated on a new construction with Architect James F. Carter. The Interior design was inspired by Caroline’s favorite designers, Miles Redd, Daniel Romualdez, David Netto, Frances Elkins, and Renzo Mongiardino.

The brick Georgian home located in Birmingham, Alabama was inspired by George Wythe house in Colonial Williamsburg “I wanted to do a riff on the George Wythe house,” Caroline told Veranda. The house is relatively new, it was built less than a decade but the feel of it is as if it’s been there for much longer than that. You read the entire article at Veranda.

Caroline Gidiere's Alabama Home Veranda entryway/foyer
The foyer with a black and white floor of the same design I have in my entryway.
Read More…
Stone English manor kitchen

Stone English cottage home

Who wouldn’t love to have a stone house in the country with climbing roses and charming interiors?  There is something incredibly charming and enduring about English country style, and this house in the Cotswolds designed by Joana Wood is entirely English but with a contemporary twist.  On this more contemporary version of English country house style, we can find more solid fabrics instead of chintz, bare tables instead of draped ones and exposed furniture legs instead of skirted upholstery yet it still feels classic and livable.

Read More…

Interior design trends change like the seasons, and every year there is a shift in what is popular.  Popular lately is the use of traditional Interior Design elements, like mahogany furniture, Chinoiserie wallpaper, and colored kitchen cabinets. With that being said, let’s take a closer look at some of these traditional elements, and why they continue to be popular.

Traditional Interior Design Elements

6 Traditional Interior Design Elements on the Rise

Read More…

Cameron Kimber‘s home is located in Australia but after you take a look at it, it will strike you as a perfect interpretation of an English country-home.  English country-house style is usually saturated with all cozy elements.  Mostly rooted in classic style, steers away from stiffness and creates the most comfortable and charming of interiors.  Sofas like the kinds of Chesterfield, English rolled arms and overstuffed armchairs provide ease sitting options while natural rugs such as sisal and jute support the laid-back side of English country-house style.  We can also find oriental rugs.  A traditional color palette inspired by the nature of the English countryside is an integral part as well, shades such as yellows, greens, blues and others are found abundantly.  And who can forget about flowers, chintz in the forms of textiles and wallpapers are the cornerstone of English countryside style.  Either in the form of upholstered furniture or wallpaper, flowers and trailing are one of the main elements of this cozy style.  Such use of floral details acts as softener to the often dark wood antiques found in the English country-house style.

English country-house style cameron living room via belle vivir blog

It’s a style of living that allows us to live with the things we love and enjoy our home without worrying about ruining our rugs or sofas.  This is only because prints, patterns and natural or oriental rugs create the most beautiful patinas out of the daily tear and wear caused by our pets and kids.  Now, I think they call that a double winner…  “Things are beautiful and comfortable, and that’s really all that matters”  Kimber.  This latter a repeating mantra of Belle Vivir Interior Design Blog for years…

7 Elements of English country-house style.

English country-house style flower print via belle vivir blog

Informality

English country homes have an informal aesthetic and ambiance. Things are not taken too seriously… it’s the mingle of different textures and patterns that creates the elegance but relaxed atmosphere.

Read More…